DKI Deputy Governor Riza Patria Claims COVID-19 Vaccination For Elderly Already Reaches 53.3 Percent

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria. (Photo: Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria said that currently, the progress of COVID-19 vaccination for the elderly in the capital city has reached 53.3 percent.

"According to data, as of April 3, 2021, for the elderly group, the first dose of vaccination has been received by 485.807 people or 53.3 percent, while the second dose of vaccination covers 80.541 people or 8.8 percent", said Riza on Saturday, April 3.

Meanwhile, the vaccination target for the elderly in Jakarta is 911.631 people. Deputy Governor Riza said that the target number of elderly people who are vaccinated continues to increase from day to day.

"We continue to add vaccination locations throughout the Jakarta area", he said.

In terms of achievements, Riza claims that vaccination for the elderly in DKI Jakarta is very good. This is inseparable from the commitment of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to help the elderly to come to the vaccination sites.

"Government structures such as village heads and sub-district heads are involved in mobilizing the elderly", said Riza.

However, the government's efforts to continue to oversee the implementation of vaccination among the elderly are not enough without public awareness to participate. Therefore, he asked the public to also raise awareness about vaccination.

Riza continued, the elderly must be protected from the dangers of COVID-19. This is because this group is susceptible to having a fatality impact, which reaches 50 percent if the elderly are infected with COVID-19.

"We do not deny, there is still a sense of concern in the community to include the elderly in the vaccination program. To avoid the fear that is based on unfounded information, the government must continue to socialize, we all need cooperation", explained Riza.

In the national COVID-19 vaccination program, the government is targeting 181.5 million vaccine targets. They are people aged 18 years and over. Vaccine recipients receive twice the injection dose.

In the first phase, the vaccine is intended for 1.5 million health workers. Then, in the second stage, COVID-19 vaccination is for the elderly and public service workers. The target is 21.5 million elderly and 16.9 million public workers.

They are market merchants, educators, religious leaders and counselors, representatives of the people, officials, government, civil servants, the National Army and the Police Force (TNI-Polri), tourism officers, public services, public transportation workers, athletes, and media workers.

During the second phase of vaccination, members of the legislature also received the COVID-19 vaccination. Since February 24, hundreds of members of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) and their family members have been vaccinated. Likewise, members of the Jakarta Regional Representatives Council (DKI DPRD).

Furthermore, vaccination will be carried out for 63.9 million vulnerable people or people living in areas with a high risk of infection. Then, other communities as many as 77.7 million people. This program will be carried out from April 2021 to March 2022.